K-pop

Well I guess the best thing to do is post a lot to move that mess of a post into the fold.

Some hot stuff released the past week. Rainbow - Sweet Dream
2NE1 - I Am The Best
T-Ara - Roly Poly, 12 minute mini-drama music video

I love Roly Poly and I Am The Best. Currently listening to the latter.
Shorter version of the T-Ara - Roly Poly vid
Okay 2NE1 ended, so it's Lolly Lolly Polly time.

I hope Hyuna's solo stuff is at least half as good as these!

and here it is! Hyuna - Bubble Pop!

Personally I prefer Hyuna's shouting to her singing so at first I was a bit disappointed, but the more I listen to it the more it sounds like an ideal summer jam to me. Minus that dubstep breakdown, which is too long and doesn't really need to be there.

Yeah, it's a jam. She fills a void too, at least when Hyori's away (and yes, the comparison works, but Bubble Pop doesn't SOUND like anything Hyori's done even if the stage looks like 'U-Go-Girl'). Here's a nice live performance.

I would be very thankful for some help decoding/analysing the lyrics to Dana and Sunday (The Grace)'s comeback single 'One More Chance'.

The day Hyuna placed higher on youtube than Beyoncè. The funniest about this for me is that Beyoncè had even less clothes on.

I'm still with Roly Poly, though.

80s-ish vibes from Infinite: Be Mine. They're always so very listenable!

2NE1 go animated (via Mari Kim) Hate You. 2NE1 in melodic mode.

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/8329/357637940.png

Haven't made up my mind about 'Ugly' yet, though.

I pitched "I Am the Best" for a single review about a month ago, and my editor shot it down because he hasn't yet been converted as far as K-pop goes, despite my best efforts... I still don't think they sing as well as Girls Generation, but I love that 2NE1 seem to be building something of an international following.

That godawful dubstep break really does kill "Bubble Pop," which is pretty fantastic otherwise.

She's exchanged the dubstep break with several other variants live lately, for no apparent reason.

Version 1
Version 2

Mat, where's that chart from? I'm assuming whatever it is, it's daily sales rather than weekly. Also, is the official name of the EP 2nd Mini Album or is it Ugly? Or doesn't the younger generation do "official" names?

The verse and chorus of "Ugly" sound like different songs; or maybe my confusion is because that sort of verse, if it's a lead-in to a dance-oriented-rock chorus, needs the chorus to be something like glimmering "Flashdance" DOR rather than Martin-Shanks-era Bon Jovi or whatever variant of sing-along dance-along hair metal or pop-rock it seems to derive from. --Not sure if I'm hitting the right comparison, or right era, even; seems '80s rather than early '00s, but '80s Jovi and Crüe isn't quite the same thing as "Ugly." Maybe you people can help me home in on it. With a few tweaks maybe it could be a modern country chorus, and better than most of what's on country radio this year, though disappointing in comparison to the previous three 2NE1 singles. Thought "Hate You" was a dance trance of beauty, no matter that the lyrics have something else in mind.

I had a sudden urge yesterday to engage in 20 seconds of research, and, succumbing to the urge, discovered that "Roly-Poly" and "Bubble Pop!" are written (and I assumed produced) by the same two people. Then went beyond my allotted twenty and determined that Shinsadong Tiger can do no wrong when it comes to 4minute, is a bit more fallible with T-ara (thumbs up on "Roly-Poly" and "Bo Peep Bo Peep," somewhat meh on the other two), and is fairly weak with Beast, or anyway can't transcend Beast's weakness. I wouldn't mind being proven wrong about the latter.

I am totally fine with the dubstep break in "Bubble Pop!" The bubble and pop needed a break, and HyunA needed an excuse to thrust her pelvis again.

Not that I've ever really figured out what the word "dubstep" refers to. But whenever I walk by a Starbucks or some place that is playing music, I will say, sagely, "obligatory dubstep break," no matter what's actually playing, and will rub my chin thoughtfully.

The thrusts are energetic, but I wouldn't say HyunA's any great shakes as a dancer. Isn't horrible, just doesn't inhabit the rhythm or find a way to let it flow through her in the way that a group like Miss A does, for instance. Do think HyunA's powerful as a rapper, digs in and can sound hard and wounded like a Lil Kim, even if her words, whatever they are, take her elsewhere. And of course the hair is always awesome.

The chart pic I just found it posted on some forum, without any info. The EP isn't called "Ugly", it's some variation of "2nd Mini Album".

Unsure if inspirational lyrics like these can ever be interesting, but is there something to be said for how loyally it sticks to flipping the 'Beautiful' script 180 degrees around? "I am ugly, no matter what you say". Whether I'm getting exactly the nuance they're going for, I'm not sure, even if the words are simple. At least there's an attempt to make things interesting.

Prominent year for Shinsadong Tiger. I liked Beast's "Fiction", the simple hook got to me, but it's the first time I've really noticed the group. Never got involved to the point of thinking about their strengths and weaknesses, or producers. I was going to post a dance cover of Fiction now, but then I came across these girls dancing to TVXQ, a clip previously removed from youtube, and it's so so amazing.

I want to discuss Teen Top's new cheater's anthem as well - Don't Spray Perfume. I think it's a funny song with a great, enchanting chorus. I don't believe that these boys would dare seduce an older woman, but remain entertained imaging it - and the little details in the videos, like the bad boy buying his girlfriend the same perfume as his fling, are precious. This song is all about the practical issues of adultery, in a world where moral qualms don't exist. I choose to ignore the potential moral qualms with this actress (Park Si-Yeon, 32) being twice the age of the OLDEST Teen Top-member (the youngest is 15) as well. Not sure if this group does anything I like outside of being there for the song, smiling intensely, but here we are.

Well ok, so maths isn't my strong point. Since the oldest member is 18 and not 16 the age difference isn't that great - but not knowing their names and faces I have no clue if the member playing the role of the punk here is the oldest one.

숨 / Breathe is also a likeable Beast track, but I think it'd be better performed by 4Minute.

Shinsadong Tiger seems to be the writer-producer for Blady as well, and their singles are two for two: lots of "ohs" and "ooos" in "Spark Spark," but the emotion of the melody doesn't get lost in the cuteness; and "Crazy Day" is halfway to the anguished feeling of Latin freestyle. (This is the second track in the last month the melody style of which made me think of Judy Torres' great "Come Into My Arms" and "No Reason To Cry," the other one being, to my total surprise, Selena Gomez & The Scene's "Love You Like A Love Song." Wouldn't think that little heart-voiced Selena could evoke Judy's sky-scaling wails, but safely back in the mix Selena's spectral oh-woh-ohs do just that. And "Crazy Day" does some of the same. I also thought I heard a bit of that freestyle emotion in Rainbow's "To Me," as well as freestyle riffaging in Kara's light and bright "Jumping." It's been a busy year for my projecting freestyle onto every halfway impassioned sound I hear.)

The promo copy that accompanies the video for "Crazy Day" tells us, "This style of choreography is powerful yet easy, so that it can express Blady's uniqueness. This also allows fans to be able to learn and keep up with the dances." Quite considerate of Blady to accommodate their audience in such a manner.

Are managed (or signed to or whatever, I'm not sure how this stuff works) by SY6 Entertainment, about which the Internet is revealing almost nothing.

Unsure if inspirational lyrics like these can ever be interesting, but is there something to be said for how loyally it sticks to flipping the 'Beautiful' script 180 degrees around? "I am ugly, no matter what you say". Whether I'm getting exactly the nuance they're going for, I'm not sure, even if the words are simple. At least there's an attempt to make things interesting.

Thought "Unpretty" and "Don't Let Me Get Me" hit pretty hard back in the day, the latter especially with Pink sounding ripped-up from the inside, not blaming this entirely on the patriarchy.

"Ugly" also does a nice 180-degree flip on "I Am The Best"'s "Even if you were me you'd envy my body." I am positive that the very same people who chant "NAE GA JE IL JAL NA GA" whenever they hear it will sing along with "Don't lie to my face, I know that I'm ugly," and feel the exact same liberation when singing either one.

Haven't yet gone looking for English translations, to try to locate nuances, though a translation may miss them as well, assuming there are any. But what we've got instead of nuance are tensions between song and singers, between this song and other 2NE1 songs, complications that appear whether the song acknowledges complication or not.

(The Korean Music Copyright Association lists Lydia Soo Paek as co-writer of "Ugly" along with Teddy Park (whose name they spell "Te Di"). And she's listed as co-writer of "Don't Cry," also with Teddy. I've no other information about her.)

Lydia is apparently a dance crew member and singer, and a friend of Shaun Evaristo, who's done choreography for YG. Here's the story which I just found through Google http://letsplay2ne1.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/article-quest-crew-member-lydia-paek-co-wrote-and-co-produced-park-boms-dont-cry/

I came across these girls dancing to TVXQ, a clip previously removed from youtube, and it's so so amazing

Yes, awesome. What's the story with the clip's removal and return? It would be great if, with their normal looks and weight, they could get a shot.

Listened to the Teen Top album once and was hugely disappointed, since "Supa Luv" had shown promise. Even on that one the singing was too feeble, but the song had a nice glide, making the pale voices not a big problem 'til the embarrassing speaking bit at the end. This second listen to "Don't Spray Perfume" makes me think I underrated its tune a little, and of course I had no idea it had such words. Probably still doesn't rate higher than "interesting," but if I were to revive my "problematic Korean videos" series, this one would surely belong.

I don't know, it just disappeared and I had to watch it on a Korean site for a while. They should apply to Korea's Got Talent.

It's SNSD's 4 year anniversary today. Here are some clips from a recent Seoul concert, doing Britney, Madonna and Janet.

Sunny
Yoona & Yuri
Jessica

Sunny's '3' performance again, since it was removed.

Also SuJu's new single... as the biggest Bonamana fan here following the same formula for a third time in a row is pushing it. And the video is so bland and grey and typically SM lame.

With a few tweaks maybe it could be a modern country chorus, and better than most of what's on country radio this year...

I definitely agree, and actually I get much more out of the song by watching <a href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skRVr6_Fl5g>;solo acoustic youtube covers of it</a> - stripping the bombast out of the chorus makes it seem less teen-angsty to me, although I suppose being teen-angsty isn't necessarily a bad thing. (I'm sure the single would have spoken volumes to me at that stage of my life.) Matt of Totally Amazing has some good insight into the meaning of the song vs. the meaning of the video <a href=http://totallyamazing.tumblr.com/post/8192716256/2ne1-ugly-well-i-was-just-talking-about-how>;here</a>.

As for the new SJ single, I'm disappointed the video doesn't look anything like the teaser pictures and I'm disappointed that the song is unworthy of forming a trinity with Sorry Sorry and Bonamana. Haven't listened to the rest of the album, but I generally ignore SJ's music past the singles.

crap, messed that up! but all the links are visible anyway?

I get the link to Totally Amazing, but not any acoustic covers.

ok, here is the acoustic cover: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skRVr6_Fl5g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AqF8AiCNcs

Was going to post that on lj last night if I hadn't been too sleepy. Will probably do so today. HyunA's relative stillness makes her just as steamy as she always is, and Zico just kills it. I think his rap in the middle is entirely new - doesn't seem to match DOK2's on the EP. And he improves it.

The Block B EP starts strong with "Halo" and then blands out; too much mediocre boyband singing, but Zico's rapping is sterling; unfortunately, he doesn't get many chances to stretch out as he does here.

Evidently he's got a mixtape. Hope he doesn't feel the need to be too tough and real.

haven't caught up with this thread yet but just stepping in to agree that the dubstep breakdown in Bubble Pop is AWFUL A-W-F-U-L

maybe someone can do an edit? :\

I certainly don't think there's an agreement on that.

Tea and cakes at the Blue House looks like an awkward affair

http://i.imgur.com/6QFcd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Bgssz.jpg

sweet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe_J_tcu3QE

Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 Launches; Sistar Is No. 1 on New Korea Chart

Billboard goes K-Pop today (Aug. 25) with the launch of a new chart, the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100. The tally, which ranks Korea's top-selling songs, kicks off with girl group Sistar's "So Cool" grabbing the No. 1 slot and beating out second-place Leesang and 2NE1, who land not only at No. 3 (with "Ugly") but also No. 14 ("Hate You") and No. 21 ("I Am The Best") on the chart dated Sept. 3.

The Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 chart, launched in conjunction with Billboard Korea, is based on digital sales via leading websites as well as downloads from mobile service sites using an industry-standard formula and the most credible music data sources within Korea. The K-Pop Hot 100 debuts simultaneously here on Billboard.com, in the international chart section of Billboard.biz, in Billboard magazine, and also on Billboard Korea's website, billboard.co.kr.

"The launch of the Billboard K-Pop Hot 100 chart is a milestone event, as it will provide the Korean music market with what we believe is Korea's most accurate and relevant song ranking," says Silvio Pietroluongo, Billboard's Director of Charts. "We're excited to be expanding Billboard's globally recognized Hot 100 chart franchise into this country, and look forward to enhancing the K-Pop Hot 100 chart in the near future with additional data as well as creating new charts that showcase the breadth of Korean music."

finally caught up with this thread. the 4minute album is nice!

'ugly' really bothers me, seems not good for people with self esteem issues.

sorry if its already been mentioned, but this is amazing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty4g27YHZ-Q

New U-KISS single, Neverland. Of note because it was written and produced by JD Relic, an American who is mostly known for posting English-language covers of K-pop songs on Youtube.

It sounds pretty North American to me, though maybe that's just because the "shiny club beats" trend is happening everywhere anyway. Also if you're unfamiliar with U-KISS this amount of English used isn't unusual for them - part of their deal has always been that they have a fairly high ratio of native English speakers (3 out of 7 members).

My favorite is "Someday" from the new U-Kiss album. It's the anthem of non-successful K-Pop acts.
They really stepped up with this one.

Re their English, probably because of the native speakers, even the others are above average English speakers.

caught up with the TSJ reviews and can I just take a moment to point out that korea and japan are not the same? really getting tired of japanese references (i.e. harajuku girls, hello kitty) making their way into k-pop reviews.

Kara

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pPrZ-QN4Iw

video is down

it was working like 45 mins ago

this should work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYoYoBtLqOY

my eyes hurt

thanks for the link!

The bridge to Step feels like an injection of morphine.

it's like "bang!" for people who think after school are too scary

great thread guys. kinda love this:

A Pink - It Girl

the outfit coordination in that kara video is next level

my friend just sent me this from 2009

http://www.youtube.com/v/EHWklhbVXSw&fs=1&hl=en

this is properly amazing

I always thought "Where U At" sounded better with the beat from a Justin Bieber song under it.

I like A Pink's Protect the Boss song as well. I know this is blasphemy, but they're like a (vocally) improved version of SNSD to me.

I wish Jay Park sold better...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmPMZlsDlVY
Perfect.

Also I can't get over Someday. It's so touching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwSQVbxOa6w